KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Guest: Dan Froomkin, Press Watch newsletter

Special elections in NH and PA continue Democrats' winning streak after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PA Gov. Shapiro (D) implements automatic voter registration, infuriating anti-democracy Republican state lawmakers. Media critic DAN FROOMKIN explains why the American public remains woefully under-informed and misinformed, and what newsrooms can and should do to improve their approach to political coverage in advance of the critical 2024 election. Original airdate 9-29-2023.

Guest: Heather Digby Parton, Salon; 'Driftglass', Professional Left Podcast

Special coverage of the GOP's second 2024 'Presidential Primary Debate,' hosted by Fox 'News' at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California with seven Republican hopefuls. Not in attendance was the guy with multiple criminal indictments who Republicans apparently intend to nominate anyway. Columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the 'Professional Left Podcast' deliver hilarious and insightful analysis.

Guest: Norm Ornstein, Congressional historian, AEI

New details from the blistering summary judgment issued by a NY judge show breathtaking bank, tax and insurance fraud committed by Donald Trump, his sons and his company. The WGA strike is officially over after securing major protections. Far-right House Republicans intent on causing a federal government shutdown are trying to shift blame to Biden for causing it. Congressional historian NORM ORNSTEIN of the American Enterprise Institute explains the history of government shutdowns (which only occur when Republicans control the House), debunks the GOP's many false claims, and explains the widespread negative economic impacts and the possible endgame ahead.

NY judge rules in partial summary judgement in NY civil case that Trump, his sons and his company committed bank, tax and insurance fraud. Pres. Biden joins the UAW strike picket line with striking UAW workers. Cassidy Hutchinson, former top Trump White House aide, issues a chilling warning about Trump's agenda. Economist destroys GOP senator's flimsy pretense of caring about children in need. US Supreme Court again rejects Alabama Republicans' racially-gerrymandered maps. More Senate Democrats call for resignation of indicted Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Labor union strikes are finally seeing progress in improving wages and working conditiosn amid record corporate profits. The Writers Guild of America announced a tentative deal that addresses their demands. Pres. Biden will join striking UAW workers in Detroit on Tuesday. Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls bash workers for daring to demand better wages and contracts, as Trump pledges retribution and revenge against the press. Callers weigh in...

Guest: John Nichols, The Nation

GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy flip-flopped, appeasing far-right Republicans threatening to shut down the government by announcing an 'impeachment inquiry' of President Biden, despite multiple investigations failing to turn up any evidence of wrongdoing. The Nation's JOHN NICHOLS explains the new scheme by Wisconsin Republicans' to impeach a newly-elected state supreme court justice who they fear will overturn their heavily-gerrymandered, 'rigged' legislative maps, and how pro-democracy forces are fighting back. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.' Original airdate 9-12-2023.

Pres. Biden launches American Climate Corps, a green jobs program for young people modeled after FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps. Poll shows solar energy most popular form of energy globally, by far. Trump reportedly terrified of going to prison; new book claims he refused to mask during COVID because of his makeup. State courts fast-track lawsuits seeking to bar Trump from 2024 ballot under 14th Amendment. Listeners weigh in on the use of the 14th Amendment, and we debunk several misconceptions about it. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Dan Froomkin, Press Watch newsletter

Special elections in NH and PA continue Democrats' winning streak after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PA Gov. Shapiro (D) implements automatic voter registration, infuriating anti-democracy Republican state lawmakers. Media critic DAN FROOMKIN explains why the American public remains woefully under-informed and misinformed, and what newsrooms can and should do to improve their approach to political coverage in advance of the critical 2024 election.

At the United Nations, Pres. Biden made impassioned case for ongoing support of Ukraine's existential battle against Russia's barbaric invasion and defense of democracy. Ukraine Pres. Zelenskyy called Russia's aggression a warning to democracies around the world. Warring factions in GOP-controlled US House block legislation to prevent a costly government shutdown, and focus on baseless impeachment inquiry to smear Biden -- the same playbook they used to smear John Kerry and Hillary Clinton. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Dr. Nelson Lichtenstein, UC-Santa Barbara labor historian

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has launched a strike against the Big 3 automakers, capping a summer surge of labor organizing and unionization. Labor historian Dr. NELSON LICHTENSTEIN exlains the the specific concerns of the UAW workers, the history of unionization waves in the US, the potential political implications of the surge of unions, and much more. Cartoonishly corrupt Texas AG Paxton acquitted by his GOP cronies. Divided GOP House fails to reach agreement to avoid government shutdown. Americans detained in Iran are heading home.